Emmerdale star reveals Vanessa's reaction to Suzy's secrets

Emmerdale spoilers follow.

Emmerdale star Michelle Hardwick has opened up about her character Vanessa Woodfield's reaction to learning about girlfriend Suzy Merton's secrets.

In next week's episode, Vanessa will learn that Suzy was a drug user and inadvertently involved in Holly Barton's death after giving her money, which she used to buy heroin with tragic consequences.

Things start to come to the fore at the Take A Vow showcase at The HOP, where a slideshow accidentally reveals a photo of Holly the day she died.

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"Vanessa is there because she's very proud of Suzy, who's doing the presentation," Michelle explained. "She's supporting her girlfriend. When the picture of Holly flashes up, it all goes wrong.

"Moira is asking Suzy why there's a picture of her daughter on the big screen. Moira asks how Suzy knew Holly and why she didn't tell her. Moira wants answers and Vanessa is stuck in the middle of them both.

"Vanessa hasn't put two and two together over the drugs at that point, but she doesn't like lies. She doesn't understand why Suzy has kept it from her. She's stuck in the middle of Suzy and Moira."

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Suzy then privately comes clean to Vanessa, the star admitting that it has "just come from nowhere" and that Vanessa "is absolutely devastated and so shocked".

"She says: 'You're not the person I thought you were. Every day we've been together has been a lie. Have you been on a high? Have you been on a comedown? You've been with my child'. As a mother, that's a scary thing. It's devastating for Vanessa.

"Suzy tries to get out of it to start with. She says she doesn't do drugs anymore, but for Vanessa it's too late and there's too many lies. She feels like she doesn't know Suzy anymore. The trust has gone."

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Michelle admits that Vanessa wants Suzy to come clean as "the truth will always come out, especially in soap!". "She just needs to tell her the truth, so Vanessa urges her to do it. If everybody knows, then she doesn't feel as bad," she said.

"Vanessa also doesn't want to lose her friendship with Moira as they've been friends for ten years. I think she wants Moira to see that she's done the right thing. She encourages Suzy to come clean."

As for whether the couple can stay together, she admitted: "It's a hard one. They do love each other and I really do believe that. If Suzy is clean, maybe there's a second chance – or maybe a third or fourth, I've lost count now! I love working with Martelle [Edinborough] so I'd be sad if they broke up."

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV and streams on the ITV Hub.